2018-19 U.S. Ladies' figure skating

[andromache]

Bradie is a difficult case because I don't think she's found her style yet. I think she skates with a lot of intensity, focus, and determination. It's not hard to pick music for that (and I think her music this season suits her fine), but I'm not sure how it translates in creating choreography. She's easy to characterize as a blonde princess, but that's not her style at all. Aside from her styling, she isn't very feminine in terms of her skating/movement. It's not a bad thing, but she just seems tough to choreograph for. She's not conventional, but she's not really "quirky" either. I do think she could better pull off Benoit's more avant-garde style if everything - skating skills, movement quality, emotion - was elevated to the next level.

 

[GoodMorningGrapeseed]

What about a Tom Dickson program? Bradie could pull off some of the limb extensions in Rika’s free. And the dress would look good on her too.

 

[vitamintea]

Have there been any updates about Gracie? Will she still skate at Nationals?

 

[katymay]

I have full confidence that Bradie will improve her pcs. Her arm movements are better than Kaori at least, and she has her natural long lines. I really like her programs this season. Maybe she just needs to skate to some lighter/fun music to cheer the crowd. This is only her second senior season (and third international season?)

I don't think her PCS is better than Kaori, but Bradie's problems are minuscule. For example, the first combo, her arms fly up on the landing-airplane arms-. A limp wrist here and there, sloppy arms here and there. Slumping posture in the last third. Each arm, wrist, hand needs to be defined, frame by frame. But the important stuff? The jumps are fine, the spins are better than fine. The problems with her skating are easily fixable.

 

[mrrice]

Have there been any updates about Gracie? Will she still skate at Nationals?

This is an excellent question. I was just wondering the same thing. She has kept everything under the radar but, I'd love to see her go for it. She'll have a very friendly crowd and even if she doesn't make the podium, I'd love to see her skate.

 

[drivingmissdaisy]

This is an excellent question. I was just wondering the same thing. She has kept everything under the radar but, I'd love to see her go for it. She'll have a very crowd and even if she doesn't make the podium, I'd love to see her skate.

I hope she skates, too. The fans already have realistic expectations of what her form will be like, so no one will be disappointed with a low placement.

 

[drivingmissdaisy]

I don't think her PCS is better than Kaori, but Bradie's problems are minuscule. For example, the first combo, her arms fly up on the landing-airplane arms-. A limp wrist here and there, sloppy arms here and there. Slumping posture in the last third. Each arm, wrist, hand needs to be defined, frame by frame. But the important stuff? The jumps are fine, the spins are better than fine. The problems with her skating are easily fixable.

I'm not too worried about Bradie. She can't beat a clean Rika or Alina, but I think anyone else is within reach. She'll earn far more points cleaning up those under rotations than she would spending time on her artistry. For me, she gets a pass on not improving her presentation because of the work she did to upgrade her jump arsenal.

 

[tothepointe]

I have full confidence that Bradie will improve her pcs. Her arm movements are better than Kaori at least, and she has her natural long lines. I really like her programs this season. Maybe she just needs to skate to some lighter/fun music to cheer the crowd. This is only her second senior season (and third international season?)

This is actually her 4th season as a senior and she's been competing internationally for 6 seasons now but because of injuries she didn't hit the circuit that heavily until the start of last season.

 

[tothepointe]

I hope she skates, too. The fans already have realistic expectations of what her form will be like, so no one will be disappointed with a low placement.

Fans will be prepare but those once a year figure skating viewers will probably be puzzled. It should be ok if NBC can hold in their excitement at their golden girl returning.

 

[DanseMacabre]

Fans will be prepare but those once a year figure skating viewers will probably be puzzled. It should be ok if NBC can hold in their excitement at their golden girl returning.

Pigs will fly before NBC passes up an opportunity to drum up drama (anything for ratings).

 

[vitamintea]

Pigs will fly before NBC passes up an opportunity to drum up drama (anything for ratings).

Seriously, I can hear Tara and Johnny's narration now... Criticizing "two-time U.S. champion Gracie Gold" and complimenting Bradie Tennell (not that there's anything wrong with her being pushed, I just don't like it when NBC always puts down one skater in order to prop up another). The endless Gold puns with her name that will feel so trite and unnecessary. I really want her to skate but it would be great if they just treated her like any other competitor and didn't talk endlessly about how different she is these days compared to at her peak.

 

[CanadianSkaterGuy]

Pigs will fly before NBC passes up an opportunity to drum up drama (anything for ratings).

Well, they're going to need SOME rivalry. Like, Bradie vs. Mariah isn't exactly must-watch drama. The return of Gold is - I hope they'll be kind to her (but fully expect them not to be).

 

[sheetz]

I'd like to think that Gracie will be convinced to pull out of Nationals if there's going to a repeat of Rostelecom. I mean, if she had to WD from the free skate for the sake of her mental health then surely she would know better than to try doing that again?

 

[Koatterce]

I'd like to think that Gracie will be convinced to pull out of Nationals if there's going to a repeat of Rostelecom. I mean, if she had to WD from the free skate for the sake of her mental health then surely she would know better than to try doing that again?

Now she knows and can (try to) adequately prepare herself for it, especially mentally. She knows how hard it's going to be. At Rostelecom, she didn't realize how hard it was going to be so she ended up having to WD. But now she knows, and it's really up to her to prep for it - but she'll know better whether or not she can handle it than she did then.

 

[drivingmissdaisy]

I'd like to think that Gracie will be convinced to pull out of Nationals if there's going to a repeat of Rostelecom. I mean, if she had to WD from the free skate for the sake of her mental health then surely she would know better than to try doing that again?

I'm really clueless as to where her form is, or even was at Rostelecom. Based on the planned elements submitted, you'd think she has all her jumps back. After watching the practices in Russia, I was doubtful she could execute anything beyond a 2Lz reliably. A lot of the criticisms that apply to her skating at Rostelecom (taking a GP spot, not being prepared for international competition, etc) don't apply to her skating at Nationals, so hopefully she can do her best and simply view 2019 Nationals as step 2 in her road back.

 

[Mr Cat]

I have full confidence that Bradie will improve her pcs. Her arm movements are better than Kaori at least, and she has her natural long lines.

Err, no. Bradie is naturally thin and tall but that doesn't equal "long lines". Her extension and posture is mediocre at best, but she does have potential.

 

[frida80]

I don’t think she’s going to make a great improvement in just a few months. I hope she thinks hard before she comes to nationals. She could just focus on next season and make a stronger comeback there.

 

[Mathman]

Well, they're going to need SOME rivalry. Like, Bradie vs. Mariah isn't exactly must-watch drama. ...

Sure it is! This is the national championship! These are the two best in the country. Worlds? We can worry about that when the time comes. Sufficient unto the day.

 

[sheetz]

I suspect Alysa vs Bradie will be a big enough rivalry for NBC.

 

[Tavi...]

I hope she skates, too. The fans already have realistic expectations of what her form will be like, so no one will be disappointed with a low placement.

The issue isn’t whether or not fans have realistic expectations of her placement. The important thing is how competing at Nats - and the possibility of a low placement - will affect Gracie, not us.